Thread
Quadra 700 Explodes: Magic Smoke event of epic proportions!
GAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8-o The apartment still reeks of it! I'm still amazed that it didn't quite set off the smoke alarm. If I hadn't been almost next to it when it audibly crackled banged and sizzled to unplug it, the smoke alarm would have certainly called me to it!
I hauled the bone stock Quadra 700 out from under the table for playtime last night and it booted up just fine, something funky was going on with the file system when I tried to move TattleTech onto it via Zip, but that wasn't the problem. So I shut it down, figuring I'd get back to it today. I left it plugged in and it just blew up about a half hour later! Haven't checked it out yet, but the soft power circuitry in the PSU is undoubtedly going to make for some very cool piccies tonight after work! [
] ]'>
I hauled the bone stock Quadra 700 out from under the table for playtime last night and it booted up just fine, something funky was going on with the file system when I tried to move TattleTech onto it via Zip, but that wasn't the problem. So I shut it down, figuring I'd get back to it today. I left it plugged in and it just blew up about a half hour later! Haven't checked it out yet, but the soft power circuitry in the PSU is undoubtedly going to make for some very cool piccies tonight after work! [
] ]'>
Whoa! Good thing nothing else caught.
I didn't spot any flames, but the PSU was hot to the touch. I hope the quick pics I shot of on the old phone show the clouds of magic smoke. I wish I'd gotten one of the smoke filled case when I opened it up. :O
I put money on a switching transistor that started sticking and finally achieved the thermal race threshold.
my guess is the .23 µF HV caps went.
Fairly common.
I was fixing a IIgs PSU last night. an yesssssssssssssssss they REEK! and make tons of smoke
Fairly common.
I was fixing a IIgs PSU last night. an yesssssssssssssssss they REEK! and make tons of smoke
Aren't the Quadra 700, 900 and 950 supposed to be one of the safer ones/with good caps? Or did I miss something? :-/
The Q700's Logic Board is pretty solid yes,
However a Power Supply issue, such as this, Can happen to any model.
However a Power Supply issue, such as this, Can happen to any model.
YESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She boots! [
] ]'>
Came home from lunch and just had to try it, no problems at all using the PSU from the Quadra 7100.
Luckily, the Quadra 700/7600/G4/800 hack makes that spare Q700 PSU available for the replacement and I can use the charred remaoins of this case for the ATX hack. [] ]'>
Double redundant Q700 backup is a good thing! :approve:
It looks like I need to get out the Plastic Shoe Box of Power Center Goodness out and finally build the GFCI protected power strip for the workbench. Gotta check out the newfangled circuit breakers as well, they've got a hair trigger for failures like this.
I also have to remember to flip the main switch off when it's not playtime . . . :-/
] ]'>Came home from lunch and just had to try it, no problems at all using the PSU from the Quadra 7100.
Luckily, the Quadra 700/7600/G4/800 hack makes that spare Q700 PSU available for the replacement and I can use the charred remaoins of this case for the ATX hack. [
] ]'>Double redundant Q700 backup is a good thing! :approve:
It looks like I need to get out the Plastic Shoe Box of Power Center Goodness out and finally build the GFCI protected power strip for the workbench. Gotta check out the newfangled circuit breakers as well, they've got a hair trigger for failures like this.
I also have to remember to flip the main switch off when it's not playtime . . . :-/
( if you get a moment ) Pull the lid off that toasty PSU, shoot a picture of the PCB, so we can see what component snap/crackle/popped.
Yes, please! It would be nice to see which component(s) to watch out for
Yeppers. I'll try to get some pics up of the dearly departed PSU's giblets tonight. Meanwhile I've offloaded the Magic smoke pics off the Camera, I'll do those right after dinner . . .
. . . and maybe a little nap. |)
. . . and maybe a little nap. |)
And, of corse if you wanted to throw a few dollars at it, I could fix that up for you. i am almost positive it was a HV cap explode.
The giblets I'll hold in reserve, the case will be the chassis for the ATX conversion. }
What are the odds of having EXACTLY the same parts detonate in two different PSUs? :?:
What are the odds of having EXACTLY the same parts detonate in two different PSUs? :?:
the odds are good.
I'd back Uniserver's diagnosis, pending sighting of pics.
Also, I wouldn't rush to write off the rest of that machine. Those caps fail open, so no damaging electrical pulse goes forward. They usually only damage other components if the spilled oil and ruptured plastic actually flames enough to burn something adjacent. Chances are, that unit is reparable quite easily, though the soot and oil residue can look dramatic on first glance. I've recently had that experience with a printer and an oscilloscope, as well as in modular PSUs - all fixed.
Rick
Also, I wouldn't rush to write off the rest of that machine. Those caps fail open, so no damaging electrical pulse goes forward. They usually only damage other components if the spilled oil and ruptured plastic actually flames enough to burn something adjacent. Chances are, that unit is reparable quite easily, though the soot and oil residue can look dramatic on first glance. I've recently had that experience with a printer and an oscilloscope, as well as in modular PSUs - all fixed.
Rick
Well, the old ENV-3 got something to show, but nothing like it was when up close & personal. 8-o
Of course, I did wait to take the photos until after I unplugged the thing and determined that I didn't need the fire extinguisher . . .
. . . taking pics was pretty much the last thing on my mind there for a bit. :-/
Maybe if the flash had gone off it would have lit the smoke against a darker background, dunno. Just figure there was like 10x as much smoke as it looks in the crappy phone-pix. :O
Of course, I did wait to take the photos until after I unplugged the thing and determined that I didn't need the fire extinguisher . . .
. . . taking pics was pretty much the last thing on my mind there for a bit. :-/
Maybe if the flash had gone off it would have lit the smoke against a darker background, dunno. Just figure there was like 10x as much smoke as it looks in the crappy phone-pix. :O
I see no smoke at all. Quite a bit of ectoplasm though. Who have you been praying to recently }
Rick
Rick
Ectoplasm.... cue "ghost in the machine" jokes......
:lol: "Who you gonna call?"
The goddess Sigourney Weaver. =8-b . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Who have you been praying to recently }
Back on topic:
I just opened the case up and blew an unremarkable, but large quantity of dust off the components. There are no obvious signs to indicate the Magic Smoke Emitter. :?:
I'm very tempted to set the Droid up in VidClip mode with these boards hooked up to a power strip-2-trip. }
I just sold an old GPS on Ebay. A Garmin eTrex H and i got incredible 60 Euro bucks for it! Anyways, i advertised a Ghostbustersmode:
Device can capture up to 4 Ghosts at the same time.
Now back to Trashs smokemachine.
Device can capture up to 4 Ghosts at the same time.
Now back to Trashs smokemachine.
My TRS-80 model III blew the same type of caps Uniserver shows above. LOTS of nasty smoke poured out and it smelled very bad for a couple of days. Like burnt urine or something.
It is probably worth de-dustifying any old machines that are being brought back into service. Even a light coating of dust would insulate vulnerable, old components from effectively shedding their heat. And of course, if there is enough dust to block airflow, you're in even more potential trouble.
True.
I clean every piece of hardware by taking it apart. The plastic pieces get washed in soap water, logic/analog boards too if possible. I even clean fans.
I just hate grime and filth. Not so if it's my own, which can be seen at the keyboard I'm currently using. But every keyboard and mouse used by anyone else must be cleaned!
Also it gives me a strange satisfaction to know how things look from the inside. |)
I clean every piece of hardware by taking it apart. The plastic pieces get washed in soap water, logic/analog boards too if possible. I even clean fans.
I just hate grime and filth. Not so if it's my own, which can be seen at the keyboard I'm currently using. But every keyboard and mouse used by anyone else must be cleaned!
Also it gives me a strange satisfaction to know how things look from the inside. |)
"Do you want this body?"
"Is that a trick question?"
"Is that a trick question?"
I am the gatekeeper, are you the keymaster?
no. (slam door)
knock knock
are you the keymaster?
Yes.
no. (slam door)
knock knock
are you the keymaster?
Yes.
My friend had the same cap blow up in a similar manner in his Apple II. They're wired directly across the AC line so when they do short, the failure can be pretty spectacular, but usually no other damage is done. Make sure you replace them with the correct type of capacitors, something rated for direct connection across the line. In a pinch you can remove them and the machine will still work, but it is likely to leak more interference out onto the power line.
Coming from the cold, wet bits of the planet, I've blown up a few barn resurrections by turning on the power before they have fully dried out. You have to be patient and let a computer sit in warm space for days before you use it. I have learned the hard way.
Regarding dust or fluff in system boxes, they are interesting electrical conductors.